I got really into the first 2 seasons of Laverne & Shirley a few months before the 3rd season came out on DVD and when I continued with the series, I was dissatisfied at first. I never knew if it was the writing, the directing, or just me. A few years ago, I began to notice small things in shows like Frasier and Friends that reminded of the early episodes of Laverne & Shirley. I found out that James Burrows and Alan Myerson who directed some of the earlier episodes of Laverne & Shirley also later directed episodes of Will & Grace, Frasier, Friends. I think the writing and directing style in the early episodes of Laverne & Shirley is ahead of it's time. Sometimes I wonder if that's why it didn't become popular in the way some of the other shows did at the time. The shows that were getting serious attention and Emmys then were the groundbreaking ones like All in the Family. I think if the show had come out in the 90's, it might have been a little bit more with the style of the times. I think the acting and physical comedy on Laverne & Shirley is well done and wonderful but it wasn't the first thing that drew me to the show. For me it boils down to a style of a show. To me, Laverne and Shirley had a few different styles during it's run. I like all of them, but the main style I'm referring to in this is the one I find myself most drawn to. Has anybody else noticed this or have any other observations?

Laverne and Shirley was a hit instantly and even beat Happy Days by the 3rd season. I dont think it could have done any better in ratings the first 3 seasons.